Security Council concerned about turmoil in Chad, Darfur

Dec 15, 2006 (UNITED NATIONS) — The UN Security Council on Friday expressed concern about attempts by rebel groups to seize power in Chad and about the worsening security in the neighbouring Sudanese region of Darfur.

In a statement, the 15-member council said it “strongly condemns all attempts at destabilization by force,” and slammed as ”unacceptable” any attempts by armed groups in Chad to seize power by force.

It voiced concern about the threat that increased military activities by armed groups in eastern Chad poses for the safety of civlians and humanitarian personnel and urged the Chadian government ”to do all it can to protect its civilian population.”

The council also reaffirmed its “deep concern about the worsening situation” in Darfur where it urged a peaceful settlement and implementation of UN resolutions calling for the deployment of UN peacekeepers to stop deadly attacks against civilians.

It deplored the continuing tensions between Chad and Sudan and urged to abide by agreements to restore stability.

Thursday, after days of fierce fighting, the Chadian army and rebels hostile to Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno made preparations on opposite sides of the Sudanese border for the next battle.

Deby himself, surrounded by his generals, was commanding the army reinforcements and deployments from a headquarters set up in Adre, a town near the border with Darfur.

Chad’s Defence Minister Bichara Issa Djadallah confirmed Thursday that the army had driven the rebels back across the border with Sudan, whose President Omar Al Beshir has been accused by Deby and the president of the neighbouring Central African Republic, Francois Bozize, of backing insurgents.

Khartoum refutes allegations of backing cross-border insurgency and in turn accuses Chad and CAR of supporting rebels in Darfur.

(AFP)